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Barrafina
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Before you even enter this stylish tapas restaurant, the air is redolent of frying garlic and grilling meat: an enticing aroma made more appealing by the dishes that waiters carry past as you queue for a seat. And you probably will queue, as Barrafina is tiny, popular and doesn’t take bookings. This is the second, less formal, venture for the Hart brothers, who also run Fino and, now, Quo Vadis . It’s little more than an open kitchen surrounded by a stainless-steel bar and tall stools. The quality of ingredients, many of them on display, is impeccable. Neither of the brothers was present on our visit, but we could hardly fault the dishes: from tender, succulent octopus sharpened with capers, to plancha-fried chorizo with potato and watercress, to a dome-shaped, properly squidgy-centred tortilla. Coca Mallorquin (Majorcan-style ‘pizza’ topped with spinach, sultanas and pine nuts) was more flavourful than the ingredients might suggest. Our only quibble was with a special of razor clams that were quite small and hence slightly overcooked. Barrafina takes its drink seriously, providing excellent sherries by the glass and wines from some of Spain’s best modern-style producers.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 54 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4SL
- Area: Soho
- Tel: 020 7440 1463
- www.barrafina.co.uk
- Category: Spanish
- Travel: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube
- Times: Tapas served noon-3pm, 5-11pm Mon-Sat; 12.30-3.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm Sun
- Price: Tapas £1.90-£16.50
- Credit cards: AmEx, Mc, V
- Services:
- Child facilities: Babies and children admitted
- Outdoor tables: 4, pavement
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Barrafina is a brilliant restaurant and could do with being bigger, i found that the price was reasonable 70quid seems a bit much Patrizio must of ordered the whole menu. I found with some of the food there should of been more chili within the dishes, the squid for example. Overall I had a wicked time although I did go with four people and that seems like one person too many because when you are sitting around it is difficult to all talk.
Barrafina means thin bar. The place is really small, the portions are tiny, no reservations accepted, just queue to get a seat.
You are asked to wait behind the people eating at the bar.
When you're finally seated you can feel the breath and the pressure of the people waiting for a seat behind you.
It's the kind of place where intimacy, privacy, comfort and good food are not included in the price.
Avg. 2 people & bottle of wine £70 each.
cracking... but get there early. Loved the mackrel special.
forgot to rate the place in my review..so here goes
Outstanding culinary experience.. great food, great choice of wines and extremely helpful staff..Incredibly busy...went for dinner Sunday night..got in when it opened at 5;30 p.m..within 20 mins the place was full..terrific buzz to the place..
London could do with more restaurants like this...
Food was fantastic as was the venue, but found it to be very expensive.
Excellent Spanish food, well done and authentic. Definitely one of my favourite Spanish restaurants in town. The charcuterie selection is great although too thinly sliced for the price so I'd go for some of the other choices. The price tag is a bit high, especially given that you'll normally have to wait for long before getting seated as they have a no-bookings policy.